Food trucks — Annecy style

Apparently, food trucks in Annecy are unlike those in other places. First of all, let’s talk school holidays. I started a new job during school holidays in France. Entire businesses close during August simply because everyone goes on holidays (I’ve written about la rentrée in the past). It was no surprise that food trucks on a business park were scarce during August. Given Annecy is heaving with tourists in August, popular lakeside spots would no doubt be more profitable. Yet they weren’t there. Many of the local food trucks close in August too. Despite throngs of people at the beaches willing to part with their money, the food trucks aren’t allowed to trade on public property, making beach-side sales somewhat difficult.

The food trucks trickled back to where I work a few weeks ago, and I’m relieved that many offer vegetarian alternatives, saving me from having to make my own lunch every day during my disorganised mornings. Last week, I found the food truck that sells south-east Asian food. I was thrilled when the staff said they could do pad Thai without meat (yum!), especially as the only other menu option was meaty. Alas, my colleague wanted the meaty dish and was told they had sold out. Seriously, sold out. They have TWO dishes and they’re a food truck and they’d sold out of one. At least their ingredients must always be fresh! Had my jaw not already hit the ground, the next statement would have made it land with a thud: “You should book ahead,” the food truck lady said. BOOK AHEAD. Yes, apparently, in Annecy, the correct procedure for visiting a food truck is to order your meal before turning up.

On the upside, they take lunch vouchers, but that’s a story for another time.